Circus Friends (Children’s Film Foundation)
Date: 1956
Director: Gerald Thomas
Production Company: London Independent Producers
Stars: Alan Coleshill, Carole White, David Tilley, Pat Belcher, Meredith Edwards, Sam Kydd, John Horsley, Harry Towb, Mona Washbourne, Frank Atkinson, Frank Forsyth, John Boxer, Conrad Phillips
Location(s): Middlesex
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
Youngsters help to put on a successful show to raise the revenue needed to buy back a performing pony which had been sold to pay a circus’s field rent.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
While attending to a tractor in the bottom field, farmhand George (Sam Kydd) spots Marlow's Circus approaching.
- Capture 2
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George runs to the farm to alert Mr. Beasley.
- Capture 3
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Climbing over a gate, George calls out as he makes his way through the farmyard.
- Capture 4
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Mr. Beasley (Meredith Edwards) comes out of the house to see what the shouting is about.
- Capture 5
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Told about the circus, Mr. Beasley takes George back to the field to prevent them accessing the field as they hadn't paid the previous years rent.
- Capture 6
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After Bert Marlow and the Farmer reach an agreement, the big top is erected and the show opens.
- Capture 7
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During the poorly attended performance, Judy the dog follows Nicky (Alan Coleshill) and Nan (Carol White) as they take Pinto the pony to teach her some tricks.
- Capture 8
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Claiming Pinto as payment when the circus takings don't meet Bert Marlow's expectations, Mr. Beasley takes the pony back to his farm.
- Capture 9
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Following Pinto to the farm where Mr. Beasley is forcing her into a horse box, Judy comes to the rescue and leads her away.
- Capture 10
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Mr. Beasley and George set off in pursuit.
- Capture 11
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Nicky and Nan run to the police station to report Judy as missing. In front of St. Mary's church hall off High Street in Harefield, Middlesex.
- Capture 12
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The Children enter the building before Mr. Beasley and George arrive to report Pinto's loss. St. Mary's church hall in Harefield.
- Capture 13
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Arriving at Miss Linstead's house, Judy follows Pinto as she trots through the front door and goes upstairs.
- Capture 14
- 23 Jul 2025
Nicky and Nan leave the police station after Mr. Beasley when the Sergeant receives a call from Miss Linstead. Looking onto High Street, Harefield from the corner of St. Mary's church hall.
Antony Blair looked around the same corner.
- Capture 15
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Mr. Beasley and George approach Miss Linstead's house where their attempts to capture Pinto are foiled.
- Capture 16
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As Nicky and Nan reach Miss Linstead's house, Mr. Beasley and George drive after Pinto and Judy.
- Capture 17
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Pinto grazes on the common near to a group of playing Children.
- Capture 18
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Recognising Pinto from the circus, Martin (David Tilley) and Beryl (Pat Belcher) run over to investigate.
- Capture 19
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Mr. Beasley and George arrive at the common.
- Capture 20
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Parking by the pond, Mr. Beasley angrily moves the Children aside as he tries to grab Pinto.
- Capture 21
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After Mr. Beasley loses his footing and falls into the pond, Nicky and Nan approach the common to see the Children leading Pinto away.
- Capture 22
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Martin and Beryl take Pinto to hide her in the barn at the Ranger's house.
- Capture 23
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Mr. Beasley and George ask the Ranger (John Boxer) if they can search his barn.
- Capture 24
- 23 Jul 2025
Discovering that Pinto had climbed the stairs in the barn, the Children have an idea to put up posters to advertise her doing tricks at the circus. Facing southward on High Street in Harefield, Middlesex with the Kings Head public house in the left distance.
More traffic but much remains the same in Antony Blair's comparison.
- Capture 25
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A poster is placed in a newspaper board outside the newsagents. To the left is F. Mercer, greengrocer, at number 22 High Street with the newsagents at number 20.
- Capture 26
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In the sunshine, a Schoolmaster (Conrad Phillips) giving outdoor lessons turns the blackboard to reveal a drawing of Pinto. Harefield County Primary School off High Street.
- Capture 27
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Waiting for a sack of grain to be put in his car, Mr. Beasley leaves a merchants shop. Facing number 8 High Street, Harefield. Other views of Harefield appear in 'The Hostages', 'Stranger in Town', 'The Cherry Picker', 'Sons and Lovers' and 'Life for Ruth'.
- Capture 28
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The shot pans with the car to bring number 10 High Street into frame . . . as well as the poster advertising Pinto glued to the boot.
- Capture 29
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Leaving the circus during their act with the clowns, Nicky and Nan run to collect Pinto ready for her performance in the packed big top.
- Capture 30
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As the successful show comes to a close, Mr. Beasley arrives at the circus to collect Pinto.